Optical characterization of ground states of polyacene

We investigate the ground-state properties of polyacene in terms of an extended Peierls-Hubbard Hamiltonian with particular emphasis on its structural instability of two types: double bonds in a "cis" pattern and those in a "trans" pattern. Calculating the polarized optical conductivity spectra within and beyond the Hartree-Fock scheme, we reveal a striking contrast between the "cis" and "trans" configurations. The two Peierls-distorted states are almost degenerate in their energetics but quite distinct in their optics.Comment: 9 pages with 6 figures embedde

Nature of charge carriers in long doped oligothiophenes: The effect of counterions

A series of oligothiophene dications doped with Cl3 - ions were studied using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The balance between the bipolaron and polaron pair states was addressed by studying the closed-shell singlet, open-shell singlet, and triplet states of oligothiophene divalent salts using the relative energies of the different isomers, differences between the singlet and triplet states, bond length alternation analysis, charge distribution analysis, and isodesmic reactions. We found that contribution of polaron pair state to the electronic structure of the oligothiophene divalent salts is not observed in 8T2+(Cl3́ -)2 (short oligothiophene salts), appears in 12T 2+(Cl3 -)2 (medium-sized oligothiophene salts), and becomes the dominant in 20T2+(Cl 3 -)2 (long oligothiophene salts). Bipolarons are intrinsically unstable with respect to dissociation into polaron pairs regardless of the presence of counterions. Thus, even in the presence of counterions, we did not observe any bipolaron stabilization energy, however, doping ions localize polarons. The singlet and triplet states are energetically degenerate for long oligothiophene divalent salts, such as 20T 2+(Cl3 -)2. © 2008 American Chemical Society

Clar's Theory, STM Images, and Geometry of Graphene Nanoribbons

We show that Clar's theory of the aromatic sextet is a simple and powerful tool to predict the stability, the \pi-electron distribution, the geometry, the electronic/magnetic structure of graphene nanoribbons with different hydrogen edge terminations. We use density functional theory to obtain the equilibrium atomic positions, simulated scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images, edge energies, band gaps, and edge-induced strains of graphene ribbons that we analyze in terms of Clar formulas. Based on their Clar representation, we propose a classification scheme for graphene ribbons that groups configurations with similar bond length alternations, STM patterns, and Raman spectra. Our simulations show how STM images and Raman spectra can be used to identify the type of edge termination

A large-scale correlated study of linear optical absorption and low-lying excited states of polyacenes: Pariser-Parr-Pople Hamiltonian

In this paper we present large-scale correlated calculations of linear optical absorption spectrum of oligo-acenes containing up to seven benzene rings. For the calculations we used the Pariser-Parr-Pople (P-P-P) Hamiltonian, along with the configuration interaction (CI) technique at various levels such as the full CI (FCI), the quadruple CI (QCI) and multi-reference singles-doubles CI (MRSDCI). The role of Coulomb parameters used in the P-P-P Hamiltonian was examined by considering standard Ohno parameters, as well as a screened set of parameters. A detailed analysis of the many-body character of the important excited states contributing to the linear absorption has also been performed. The results of our calculations have been compared extensively with the theoretical work of other authors, as well as with the experiments.Comment: 45 pages, 9 figure

Photoinduced Structural Phase Transitions in Polyacene

There exist two types of structural instability in polyacene: double bonds in a cis pattern and those in a trans pattern. They are isoenergetic but spectroscopically distinct. We demonstrate optical characterization and manipulation of Peierls-distorted polyacene employing both correlated and uncorrelated Hamiltonians. We clarify the phase boundaries of the cis- and trans-distorted isomers, elucidate their optical-conductivity spectra, and then explore their photoresponses. There occurs a photoinduced transformation in the polyacene structure, but it is one-way switching: The trans configuration is well convertible into the cis one, whereas the reverse conversion is much less feasible. Even the weakest light irradiation can cause a transition of uncorrelated electrons, while correlated electrons have a transition threshold against light irradiation.Comment: 14 pages with 15 figures embedde

Increased d-amino acid oxidase expression in the bilateral hippocampal CA4 of schizophrenic patients: a post-mortem study

An important risk gene in schizophrenia is d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO). To establish if expression of DAAO is altered in cortical, hippocampal or thalamic regions of schizophrenia patients, we measured gene expression of DAAO in a post-mortem study of elderly patients with schizophrenia and non-affected controls in both hemispheres differentiating between gray and white matter. We compared cerebral post-mortem samples (granular frontal cortex BA9, middle frontal cortex BA46, superior temporal cortex BA22, entorhinal cortex BA28, sensoric cortex BA1–3, hippocampus (CA4), mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus) from 10 schizophrenia patients to 13 normal subjects investigating gene expression of DAAO in the gray and white matter of both hemispheres of the above-mentioned brain regions by in situ-hybridization. We found increased expression of DAAO-mRNA in the hippocampal CA4 of schizophrenic patients. Compared to the control group, both hemispheres of the hippocampus of schizophrenic patients showed an increased expression of 46% (right, P = 0.013) and 54% (left, P = 0.019), respectively. None of the other regions examined showed statistically significant differences in DAAO expression. This post-mortem study demonstrated increased gene expression of DAAO in the left and right hippocampus of schizophrenia patients. This increased expression could be responsible for a decrease in local d-serine levels leading to a NMDA-receptor hypofunction that is hypothesized to play a major role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, our study group was small and results should be verified using larger samples

Translating Glutamate: From Pathophysiology to Treatment

The neurotransmitter glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in mammalian brain and is responsible for most corticocortical and corticofugal neurotransmission. Disturbances in glutamatergic function have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders—including schizophrenia, drug abuse and addiction, autism, and depression—that were until recently poorly understood. Nevertheless, improvements in basic information regarding these disorders have yet to translate into Food and Drug Administration–approved treatments. Barriers to translation include the need not only for improved compounds but also for improved biomarkers sensitive to both structural and functional target engagement and for improved translational models. Overcoming these barriers will require unique collaborative arrangements between pharma, government, and academia. Here, we review a recent Institute of Medicine–sponsored meeting, highlighting advances in glutamatergic theories of neuropsychiatric illness as well as remaining barriers to treatment development.National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (grant R37MH49334)National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (Intramural Research Program)National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (R01DA03383)National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.) (P50MH086385)National Institutes of Health (U.S.)FRAXA Research FoundationHoward Hughes Medical InstituteSimons Foundatio

Mechanical Bonds and Topological Effects in Radical Dimer Stabilization

While mechanical bonding stabilizes tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) radical dimers, the question arises: what role does topology play in catenanes containing TTF units? Here, we report how topology, together with mechanical bonding, in isomeric [3]- and doubly interlocked [2]catenanes controls the formation of TTF radical dimers within their structural frameworks, including a ring-in-ring complex (formed between an organoplatinum square and a {2+2} macrocyclic polyether containing two 1,5-dioxynaphthalene (DNP) and two TTF units) that is topologically isomeric with the doubly interlocked [2]catenane. The separate TTF units in the two {1+1} macrocycles (each containing also one DNP unit) of the isomeric [3]catenane exhibit slightly different redox properties compared with those in the {2+2} macrocycle present in the [2]catenane, while comparison with its topological isomer reveals substantially different redox behavior. Although the stabilities of the mixed-valence (TTF2)^(•+) dimers are similar in the two catenanes, the radical cationic (TTF^(•+))_2 dimer in the [2]catenane occurs only fleetingly compared with its prominent existence in the [3]catenane, while both dimers are absent altogether in the ring-in-ring complex. The electrochemical behavior of these three radically configurable isomers demonstrates that a fundamental relationship exists between topology and redox properties